Students award $10,000 to local mental health nonprofits

April 30, 2026 - 07:41

A group of University of Nebraska-Lincoln business students has handed out $10,000 in grants to two local organizations focused on mental and behavioral health. The funding comes from the Strive to Thrive Lincoln project, a hands-on initiative run by the spring semester Philanthropy and Leadership MNGT 411 course in the College of Business.

The students selected HopeSpoke and Lutheran Family Services as the recipients. Both nonprofits provide critical mental health support to residents in the Lincoln area. The grants are meant to help these groups expand their services or reach more people in need.

The course gives students real-world experience in managing charitable funds and making tough decisions about where money can have the biggest impact. Over the semester, the class studied local needs, reviewed applications, and debated which organizations would benefit most from the award. Faculty members say the project teaches leadership, teamwork, and the practical side of giving back to the community.

For the nonprofits, the money comes at a time when demand for mental health services continues to rise. HopeSpoke works primarily with children and families, while Lutheran Family Services offers counseling and support for a broad range of clients. Both organizations expressed gratitude for the students' work and the financial boost.